Editor’s note: CNN’s John Blake was formerly a member of Antioch Baptist Church North. He left 13 years ago.

Atlanta (CNN) – Herman Cain has vaulted to the top of the polls as a Republican presidential candidate, but there’s one audience that may prove tougher for him to win over: his hometown church.

Cain, a conservative who recently said African-Americans were “brainwashed” into voting Democratic, is an associate minister at an Atlanta megachurch that has been a stronghold of liberal activism and is led by a pastor who cites Malcolm X as one of his influences.

soundoff(13 Responses)

"This man is so "Dangerous to America" ! He has no idea he,s being used by the Coke Brothers and Gop!! He can,t even "Explain" his own policies????? OMG!

October 18, 2011 09:45 am at 9:45 am |

Al-NY,NY

"Cain’s views on race aren’t simplistic, Robinson says. Cain says he doesn’t think racism is a huge obstacle for blacks, but Robinson says Cain has privately told him it’s a problem and once even complained about “the good ol’ boy” network in Georgia Republican politics."
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uh oh. What do you say now Herm? Is it true what your friend said? What about the Tealiban?......can't wait to hear his excuse for THIS one.....

October 18, 2011 09:48 am at 9:48 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Herb may be a minister, but he certainly forgot the message from Jesus, about serving the poor and needy. His new religion coincides more with the teavangelicals.

October 18, 2011 09:53 am at 9:53 am |

Which way did he go George ?

How come a successful black man comes on the scene and CNN goes after his pastors "radical" background. But didn't hardly bother with Obama's Reverend Wright ?

October 18, 2011 10:04 am at 10:04 am |

Rudy NYC

Cain has already convinced the members of that congregation. To his credit, Mr. Cain has convinced most black voters that he is not going to act in their best interests. He has convinced them that he holds them in contempt, and views them with scorn. Mr. Cain doesn't need to convince anybody of where he stands.

October 18, 2011 10:13 am at 10:13 am |

portland tony

Since when have churches started advertising their political leanings? What's this: Sunrise service for liberals, mid-morning is for conservatives and evening service for independents? I somehow thought that churchs were about man's relationship with his God.

October 18, 2011 10:14 am at 10:14 am |

Independent Voter

And what about Reverend Wright ?

October 18, 2011 10:14 am at 10:14 am |

Sandy

As an African American, I am embarrassed for Cain! Mrs. Cain is black, so I'm sure his family is just as embarrassed, that's probably why we haven't heard a peep from them.

October 18, 2011 10:23 am at 10:23 am |

Four and The Door

This is a very positive article about Herman Cain. It helps explain what is behind his capability as a straight-shooter and a speaker who can connect so well with his audience. Herman Cain is not spewing conservative views because this is all he knows. He has intimate exposure to liberal philosophies and has been an integral part of a strong liberal community. But he takes his own conservative perspective because that is his own understanding of how things in this world work. This is from his heart and he is very good at conveying his perspective to people. This is a key part of what can make him a great leader.

October 18, 2011 10:31 am at 10:31 am |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Beasley says he doesn’t talk politics with Cain, though.

“I respect him – and I want to keep my respect for him,” Beasley says.
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Mr. Beasley I believe sir that you undertand our predicament then. You know Cain personally. You have a relationship with him, you are good friends. Yet you state that in spite of knowing him that well his POLITICS, would make you lose respect for him.
You sir have an advantage over the rest of us voters because we are NOT friends with Cain, nor can we claim a personal knowldege of the man.
All we have to go on and judge him by is exactly that which you shy away from in order to continue to respect him: HIS POLITICS.
And his politics, Mr. Beasley, SUCK.

Obama 2012.

October 18, 2011 10:51 am at 10:51 am |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Pardon that sentence should've read:
Yet you state, in spite of knowing him well, that his POLITICS, would make you lose respect for him.

October 18, 2011 10:53 am at 10:53 am |

The Elephant In The Room

OK Herman you got some splaining to do . . . at leat to your base that tried to gin up a Rev. Wright problem for Mr. Obama back in 2008.

Palling around with discipiles of a former member of The Nation of Islam? One of those militant, raised fist types? ooooh!

Right, wrong, or indifferent, Mr. Cain, you have just been marginalized. But that`s OK because you are quick to spout, "to hell with political correctness", right?

You will fail in your quest as a presidential candidate and it will be "your own" fault.

Oh yeah, where is Mrs. Cain? Is she a black militant too? Cain we look for you and her on the cover of the New Yorker magazine doing a "terrorist fist bump"? Or is she, OMG, a white woman? Maybe she`s a tad obese of anerexically boney? Whatever she is, there must be some visual, emotional, or historic baggage there because you are working overtime to keep her out of sight. Is she not "First Lady" material like Perry`s wife?

October 18, 2011 11:00 am at 11:00 am |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

In my heart,” Johnson wrote, “I was hoping that you would represent a politician that did more than appeal to the worst in the electorate.”
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I feel your pain Mr. Johnson. I too share your sentiments.
I cannot reconcile the fact that a man of the cloth and pulpit circuit, so to speak, and of such 'great faith can be so divisive, bigoted, and disconnected to "the least of his flock". I'm all for attaining the American dream thorugh hard work, but I;m not into the "crab in the barrell" mentality that Mr. Cain obviously subscribes to. You gotta have a bootstrap, like one of the deacons said, to pull yourself up first.
There are too many things wrong with the overall Cain portrait to make him politcally viable.
There are too many similarities between the treatment that he is currently being given by the GOTeatards and that given to Michael Steele before he was unceremoniously shown the door and the bottom of the shoe by the GOP once his "usefulness" had run out.
Tell you what, I'll pray for you Mr. Cain but I most certainly will NOT vote for you.